SHS choirs singing way to events, competitions

By MIMI FEULING

Contributing writer

A romantic evening for Valentine’s Day is the perfect way to show that special someone just how special they are to you and what better way to top the evening off than a single red rose and a romantic serenade beautifully sung by the honors choirs’ members from Sandpoint High School?

Featuring beautifully performed songs like “My Funny Valentine”, “People Will Say We’re In Love”, and “Younger Than Spring Time”, this memorable experience will score major points, guaranteed.

Not only will you“wow your sweetheart, but you will also be supporting the SHS Choir, now that’s real bang for your buck. Funds raised from the singing valentines and other events help the choir to travel to different competitions and to support their Spring Trip.

For a $25 donation, students will meet your sweetheart within the Sandpoint city limits with a rose, a card and a song between 3:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, and Wednesday, Feb. 14. Call 208-290-0293 to make your reservation today before they are all sold out.

Recently 10 SHS Choir members were invited to the All-State Honors Choir. Taking place in Moscow, this statewide auditioned event including three days of workshops with college level instruction culminating in a wonderful concert with three choirs.

The concert opened with the first ever Idaho All-State Jazz Choir, a 19-member ensemble, featuring six Sandpoint students — Burton Anderson, Riley Anderson, Devin Fredericks, Joellie Heneise, Anna Hughes, and Zoe Tucker. Next the All-State Treble Choir sang, with Hope Ambridge, Jasmine Mearns, and Zoe Miller representing SHS. The final performance filled the stage with the All-State Mixed Choir, which included Sophia Kriz, Julia Neuder, Zane Rasor, Jaki Street, and Luke Wilks. The students travelled to Moscow with SHS choir director Jon Brownell.

On Feb. 23, the Honors Men’s and Women’s Choirs from Sandpoint High School and Sandpoint Middle School will travel again to Moscow to participate in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. This is the largest jazz festival west of the Mississippi, featuring jazz greats such as Lionel Hampton, Elle Fitzgerald and Diana Krall.

The students will participate in workshops and competitions. This is an amazing experience for the singers to work with professionals at a high level. These are just two of the many events Mr. Brownell involves his students in every year.

The spring trip is probably the students’ favorite event. Occurring every other year, this trip has taken students in the honors choirs to choral adjudications at places such as Disneyland. This year, they will be going on a Bahamas cruise with a musical festival on board.

In addition to participating in the festival at sea and sightseeing, the choirs will perform for the other passengers on the ship.

The Men’s and Women’s Honors Choirs, with over 40 students planning on going on this trip, have been raising money for this adventure all year and are very close to their goal. The singing valentines proceeds will all go toward paying for this unique adventure.